How Could HSP Be Improved?

Published on 2009-05-14 08:47:15

The fifth season of "High Stakes Poker" has had some really good episodes, as well as a couple of really boring ones.

Most people seem to agree that "High Stakes Poker" is by far the best poker show on TV today.

That being said - there is always room for improvement.

I've been talking with fans of the show over the past few months. I've spoken with dozens of people via Email and asked them - how would you improve the show?

Some of the people that are involved in the production of the show read this site - I know, because I have talked to them before. I thought that it couldn't hurt to list some of the feedback that I have gotten regarding High Stakes Poker, because everyone wants to see this show continue indefinitely. Let's not forget that the future of HSP was very much in doubt just a year ago.

Anyways, here is the feedback that I've gotten so far:

1. More "durrrr". Based on the feedback that I received, I would try very hard to secure Dwan for the entire sixth season (if there is one). People love watching Dwan play, and they also love the fact that he transforms the game the second that he appears at the table. Given that most of the biggest pots on season 5 involved "durrrr", it's not really hard to see why people would want him on the show.

2. Less amateur players, more pros. Less Nick Cassavetes and Sam Simon.

3. More "volatile" players such as Phil Hellmuth and Mike Matusow. A steaming player makes for good TV.

4. Update the viewers every so often as to how much each player is up/down since they sat down at the table. Maybe a quick graphic every time the show returns from commercial break that lists how much each player is up/down.

5. Don't have Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari on the show at the same time. These two are distracting while at the table together.

6. Introduce a Mixed NLHE/PLO format.

7. Try and convince Phil Ivey to appear on the show once again (he has just participated in one season).

If you have any feedback as to how you would improve HSP, just hit me up on Twitter here. I'll be sure to add any opinions that are shared by a number of people.

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Filed Under: Miscellaneous Poker Articles